New York City’s Long-Term Plan in support of Renewal of its Filtration Avoidance Determination for the Catskill/Delaware System

CEQR No. 17DEP012U

The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) proposes to revise and enhance its Long-Term Plan (LTP) for the Catskill/Delaware Water Supply System in support of its request that the New York State Department of Health (DOH) renew its Filtration Avoidance Determination. The purpose of the LTP is to protect and improve existing water quality in the Catskill/Delaware water supply system by engaging in or funding various activities that serve protective and/or remedial water quality functions in the Catskill/Delaware watershed. The LTP would also allow New York City to avoid filtering a majority of its potable water supply by qualifying for filtration avoidance under the federal Surface Water Treatment Rule (SWTR) and the Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule and their New York State counterparts.

The 2017 LTP, as proposed includes the Long-Term Watershed Protection Program (2016 LTP) and its 2017 Addendum, is a comprehensive watershed protection strategy that focuses on implementing both protective and remedial initiatives through a number of individual programs and activities. Activities under the LTP would take place throughout those parts of the New York counties that fall within the Catskill/Delaware water supply system plus two basins within the Croton system which have the potential to mix with Catskill/Delaware water. These counties are Delaware, Dutchess, Greene, Putnam, Schoharie, Sullivan, Ulster, and Westchester.

The proposed 2017 LTP requires approval from DOH in consultation with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

If you have any questions regarding the environmental review, please contact Sangamithra Iyer at the below address.

Sangamithra Iyer, P.E. DirectorOffice of Water Supply Infrastructure and Watershed AssessmentNew York City Department of Environmental ProtectionBureau of Environmental Planning and Analysis59-17 Junction Blvd, 11th FloorFlushing, New York 11373Phone: 718-595-3585Email: siyer@dep.nyc.gov